CHARLESTON, S.C. – The most combined points ever in a season opener in Charleston Southern football history – 90 – unfortunately, did not go the Buccaneers' way Saturday afternoon, as visiting Western Carolina claimed the first meeting the series 52-38 at Buccaneer Field. The game was played evenly in the second half but CSU was unable to climb out of a first-quarter deficit.

SCORING IN BUNCHES
The two teams combined for 90 points, the sixth-highest total in a game in Bucs history and the most since the record 117 at Coastal Carolina Oct. 1, 2016 and the largest accumulation under head coach Autry Denson.

It marks the second-straight season opener in which Charleston Southern has tallied 38 points, after last year's win at The Citadel Sept. 11. The 38 is tied with that contest for the second most in any game under Denson, trailing only the 41 put up in the season finale against Campbell his first year, Nov. 23, 2019. Six games during his tenure have featured the Buccaneers registering at least 30 points.

MALMGREN'S RECORD-TYING DAY
Ross Malmgren assumed the starting quarterback duties and he passed for a program single-game record tying five touchdowns on 30-of-45 for 392 yards. He joins Collin Drafts as the only two signal callers in school history with five touchdown passes in a single game, after Drafts did it against North Greenville Oct. 23, 2004, and at The Citadel Sept. 9, 2016.

Malmgren's 30 completions slot him into a sixth-place tie in the program's single-game listings, while his 392 yards are the eighth most for a Buccaneer quarterback.

SPREADING THE CATCHES
Nine different receivers were on the end of Malmgren's completions, led by a career-high nine for 99 yards by TJ Ruff. He scored once, on a 54-yard strike down the home sideline for the team's first score in the first quarter.

Seth Anderson added eight grabs for a career-high 131 yards and two scores. His touchdowns came on back-to-back drives in the third quarter, a 9-yard catch followed by a 43-yard snag as the Bucs put up 14 points in less than two minutes.

Vinson Davis and Kale Anderson were also on the receiving end of Malmgren passes that resulted in touchdowns.

RUFF'S ALL-PURPOSE DAY
In addition to his 99 receiving yards, Ruff also had a team-best 60 yards on nine carries to lead the squad in his first extensive action as a CSU player. He also had 39 kickoff return yards to finish his well-rounded performance with 198 yards, joining Seth Anderson as the only two Buccaneers in the century club.

MOORE BREAKS FREE FOR LONGEST RUN
Just behind Ruff in terms of rushing yards was JD Moore, who chipped in 58 on just six carries. He broke free for a 60-yard run to start the team's second drive of the third quarter, putting him back in positive yardage after a loss of two earlier in the contest. The 60-yard burst was the longest run by either team.

HALF THE FIELD BOOT FOR BABBUSH
Sam Babbush drained a 50-yard field goal try in the second quarter, entering elite territory among placekickers in school history. He was originally lined up for a 45-yard attempt but a delay of game penalty backed him up five additional yards but he had no trouble with the try.

Babbush's 50-yarder ties for the fifth longest in school history and makes it one of only seven field goals to reach 50 yards, a feat accomplished by five kickers.

WRECKING HAVOC TO CREATE FOUR TURNOVERS
True to form, Charleston Southern created four turnovers on the day – two fumbles, two interceptions as it found ways to keep the Bucs close. Garrett Sayegh and Till Garvin were both beneficiaries of fumbles, as they pounced on loose balls, while in the secondary Geordan Livingston and Lawson Cook both secured interceptions on passes heaved by Catamount signal caller Carlos Davis.

COLLECTIVE TEAM EFFORT ON DEFENSE
The defensive side the ball featured 17 different players with at least one tackle, led by seven apiece from Sayegh and Hombre Kennedy. Elijah Harper added six, while Kamron Smith, Shary Jefferson, Livingston and Jerome Rice III each finished with five stops. All of Smith's and Jefferson's were solo.

RECORDS
Western Carolina: 1-0
Charleston Southern: 0-1

UP NEXT
The Buccaneers hit the road for Raleigh, North Carolina, and a matchup with FBS Top 25 North Carolina State. Action from Carter-Finley Stadium can be found on Bally Sports South with kickoff slated for just after 12:30 p.m.